Figure toy



1: M. YATER.

FIGURE TOY. APPLICATIQN man MAY 5, 1920.

1 3 4 344 Patentd Jan. 4, 1921.

- 2 SHEETSSHEET 1- @Momxu;

1'. M. YATER.

mum: TOY. APPLICATION FILED MA! 5.

UNITED STATES JAMES M. YATEB, OF DELAWARE, OKLAHOMA.

FIGURE TOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 4, 1921.

Application filed May 5, 1920. Flerial No. 379,086.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES M. YATER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Delaware, in the county of Nowata and State of Oklahoma, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Figure Toys, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in figure toys, and it is primarily an object of the invention to provide a toy embodying novel and improved means whereby a simulation is obtained of a mounted rider lassoing a steer or other stock.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved toy of this general character embodying two figures supported to travel in different paths and wherein one of said figures has coacting therewith a releasable noose or loop adapted to be engaged with the second figure when one of said figures passes the other.

An additiona-Lobject of the invention. is to provide a novel and improved toy of this general character embodying two figures traveling in diiferent continuous paths or orbits and wherein one of said figures is positively driven and the second figure is frictionally driven by said first named figure, together with means carried by one of the figures to engage the other.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my im-. proved toy whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to de scribe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in top plan illustrating a figure toy constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view in side elevation illustrating the brake mechanism. herein included;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4. is a view partly in vertical. section and partly in elevation of the toy as herein disclosed;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken pubstantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4; ant

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the means for suspending the loop of the flexible member.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, B denotes a hollow base of desired configuration and dimensions and opposite side walls 1 thereof rotatably support a shaft S. The shaft S is provided with a ratchet wheel 2 with which coacts a pawl 3 carried by the adjacent side wall 1 of the base B and whereby said shaft S is held against retrograde movement. Fixed to the shaft S within the base B is a friction wheel 4 which coacts with a friction wheel 5 rotatably supported by the adjacent side wall 1 of the base 13 at a predetermined point above the shaft S. Operatively connecting the shaft S and the wheel 4 is a clock spring C, or its equivalent.

Extending u )wardly from the top wall 6 of the base is a post or rod 7 of desired length and around which rotates a disk 8, or the like, of desired diameter. The top wall 6 is provided with an opening 9 whereby the wheel 5 is permitted to have frictional contact with the under surface of said disk 8 so that the same is driven from the shaft S.

An end portion of the shaft S extends exteriorly of the base B and has fixed thereto a brake wheel 10 with which coacts a brake band 11. The brake band may be adjusted or operated through the medium of the lever 12, or the like, so that the speed of rotation of the shaft S may be regulated in accordance with the requirements of practice. The extended extremity of the shaft S is preferably angular in cross section, as at a, in order to permit convenient engagement therewith of a' conventional type of winding key.

The post 7 is freely disposed through an opening 14- at the axial center of a disk 15. The disk 15 is of a diameter less than the disk 8. The disk 15 is adapted to have frictional contact with the disk 8 through the instrumentality of a coil spring 16 encircling the post or rod 7 and interposed between the upper faces of said disk 15 and a member or nut 17 in threaded engagement with the upper portion of the rod or post 7. The upper end portion of the spring 16 is secured to the member or nut 17 and the opposite end portion is secured'to the disk 15. After said member or nut 17 has been applied to the post or rod 7, a stop member 18 is applied to the post or rod 7 above said member or nut 17. It is preferred that the stop member 18 constitute a cotter pin, or the like, inserted directly thrloigh the upper portion of the post or roc Suitably mounted upon the peripheral portion of the disk 8 is a figure 19 in simulation of a steer or other stock and properly mounted upon the peripheral portion of the disk 15 is a figure 2O simulating a rider 011 horseback and which figure includes an extended arm 21 including fingers 22. A flexible member F, of requisite length, has one end portion suitably fastened to the figure 20 and the opposite end portion of said flexible member is provided with a slip noose or loop 23. This slip noose or loop 23 is adapted to be suspended from the fingers 22 of the arm 21, and said fingers 22 are so formed to permit a ready release of the slip noose or loop therefrom.

In practice, after the spring C has been wound, the disks 8 and 15 are adjusted around or relative to the post or rod 7 to position the figures 19 and 20 in desired relation one with respect to the other and the member or nut 17 is given a few turns to move the same downwardly whereby the spring 16 causes the disk 15 to have frictional engagement with the disk 8.

The brake band 11 is then adjusted to assure the requisite speed of rotation of the shaft S and which rotation of the shaft S results in a driving of the disk 8 and together with the disk 15 in frictional engagement with the disk 8. This gives an initial simulation of one of the figures, preferably 20, running after or chasing the figure 19. After a comparatively few rotations of the disks 8 and 15, the figures 19 and 20 will pass and generally the slip noose or loop 23, suspended from the fingers 22 of the arm 21, will engage the figure 19, and in the present instance preferably the horns 24: of the figure 19 whereby a realistic imitation is given of a mounted rider lassoing stock. As the disk 8 continues to rotate, the spring 16 will be tightened around the post or rod 7, causing the member or nut 17 to turn around said rod or post"? until it comes in contact with the stop member or pin 18. About this time, the disk 15 will be substantially free of frictional contact with a disk 8 permitting said disk 8 to have movement independently of the disk 15 and which independent movement will result in causing the flexible member F to become taut and after a comparatively few more rotations, the disk 15 will be brought to a stop and the connection between the figures 19 and 20, as afforded by the flexible member F, will also cause the disk 8 to stop whereby a realistic imitation is given of the mounted rider coming to a halt and stopping the steer or other stock which has been lassoed.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a toy constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is suceptible of some changes and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to-the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except ashereinafter claimed.

1 claim 1. A figure toy comprising two members supported for rotation, means for causing one of said members to frictionally engage the other for rotation therewith, a figure carried by each of said members, and a flexible element carried by one of the figures for engagement with the second figure.

2. A toy of the class described comprising two members supported for rotation, yieldable means for urging one of the members into frictional contact with the second memher, a figure carried by each of the members, and a flexible member carried by one of the figures for engagement with the'sec- 0nd figure.

3. A toy of the class described comprising two members supported for rotation, yieldable means for urging one of the members into frictional contact with the second member, a figure carried by each of the members, a flexible member carried by one of the figures for engagement with the second figure, and a driving means coacting with one of said members. 1

4. A toy of the class described comprising a post, a pair of su erimposed rotating disks coacting with the post, said disks being capable of rotation one independently of the other, yieldable means coacting with the post and one of the disks for causing said disks tohave frictional engagement one with the other, a figure carried by each of the disks, and a member carried by one of the figures for engagement with the second figure. V

5. A toy of the class described comprising a post, a pair of superimposed rotating disks coacting with the post, said disks being capabale of rotation one independently of the other, a member threaded upon the post, a spring encircling the post and interposed between said member and the upper disk for urging said disk into frictional contact with the second disk, said spring being secured to said first named disk and to the member,

a figure carried by each of the disks, and a member carried by one of the figures for engagement with the second figure.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JAMES M. YATER. 

